Two Chinese aircraft carriers seen in Pacific for first time, Japan says

Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong sails in waters about 300km south of Okinawa prefecture, Japan, on April 5, 2023 [Joint Staff Office of the Defence Ministry of Japan/Handout via Reuters]

Two Chinese aircraft carriers have been seen operating in the Pacific at once for the first time, Japan’s Ministry of Defence has said.

China’s Shandong and four other vessels on Monday sailed within Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the Defence Ministry said on Tuesday.